Former Thunderbird searches for Phantoms

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Randy Redman
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) --  From the roar of the jet engines to the rumble of a motorcycle, one former Thunderbird cannot get enough of life on the road.

Retired Col. Gary Younglove, retired administrative officer for the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Squadron, made his first stop here recently on a nationwide journey to visit each of the original F-4 Phantom Thunderbirds, one of which is on display here.

It began in Monett, Mo., where Colonel Younglove, was visiting "Ole No. 3." There, Michael Jacobssen, the unofficial historian of the F-4 era, told him there are nine still around.

"My number on the team was nine. There are nine F-4Es still around. My mind started clicking. ‘I could, as No. 9, visit all nine aircraft and pay my respects,’" said Colonel Younglove, who began riding his motorcycle in 2003. "I realized this may be a major trip ... but I have only one life to live."

As the administrative officer, he was not assigned to any particular aircraft on the team and was able to ride in all of the aircraft during his tour 1970 to 1972.

"I've actually been in the back of this airplane when it was with the Thunderbirds," Colonel Younglove said.

Thunderbird No. 1 has a rich history including assignments here in 1968 and again in 1975. Its most high profile assignment was 1969 to 1973, when it flew in the lead position for the Thunderbirds. It has been on display here since 1985.

The Phantom was the first multiservice aircraft, flying at the same time with the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy. It is the first and only aircraft flown concurrently by both the Thunderbirds and the Navy's Blue Angels, officials said.

The Air Force used 11 aircraft during that period. Two of the aircraft were lost in crashes. The remaining aircraft still exist, and seven of them are on display around the United States. The other two are stored at the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz.

Colonel Younglove will travel about 7,200 miles on his trip, visiting Athens, Tenn.; Atwater, Calif.; Battle Mountain, Nev.; and Vail, Ariz.

On his way out the gate toward Tennessee, Colonel Younglove was all smiles and gave big thumbs up.

Colonel Younglove maintains a Web site dedicated to documenting his journey at www.gdyounglove.net/thunderbirdsondisplay/index.htm.